45

April 4th marked the 45th wedding anniversary of my parents. I honestly feel like I won the parent lottery. There is really no other way to put it. I am beyond lucky to have them as my parents.  Most people don't know the depths of their generosity and kindness--the things they do for others without the hope or want to be recognized.  This year I think we were all feeling especially grateful to be celebrating together.

We planned a dinner out to Fonda San Miguel.  We have done parties and big to-do's in the past for their big anniversaries, but this seemed fitting to be celebrating, just us,  just like we planned.

We were a little excited to be getting out....

 We had a wonderful dinner (with not so great drinks).

 We had a delicious cake made for desert, and me, Ethan and Rachel put together a book for them as their gift.  "45 Thinks I Have Learned From Lolli and Pop."  It came out better than I could have imagined. And to say they loved it, is a huge understatement. I already ordered them an extra copy so my dad could take it to the store. He mentions it every time we talk.

 No family meal is complete without a visit from the napkin bunny.

 Before we left, we sent them off with a sparkler because after 45 year of marriage the spark is still there:)

It was a beautiful, low-key night spent together. I strive every day to have a marriage like theirs, to learn from their generosity and selflessness and hope that my children grow up to feel the same way I do about my parents.

Easter Weekend

We had our annual Cascarones fight again this year! It was just us and the Ladd's this year--it was just too hard to find a good time for everyone this year. But we made an afternoon of it and went down to the trails of Slaughter Creek that are right by our house.

After the fight, we walked through the trails, and ended up at the creek.  It started off sweet and innocent, and Cash and Savannah were just sticking their toes in the water while the big boys were exploring and being boys.

Soon enough, Cash was standing up in the water and of course you know what happens next...he slips and falls in. He was so upset at first and wanted to go home. But then...someone else slipped and fell into the water, and before we knew it, they were all waist deep in the water having a blast.

On Easter Sunday, our neighbor Teagan and her grandmother put together a little easter egg hunt for the boys in the front yard. I did not get any pictures of them running around in their pajamas in the front yard, but got plenty of our hunt later that day. My mom put together a really great Easter Egg hunt in her backyard! There was one sparkly pink egg that had money in it that was the one to find! But she also had little special treats sprinkled throughout the yard for them to find.

 Yep, Cash found the sparkly pink egg!

It was a really wonderful day, followed by a gourmet meal that my dad cooked up with our family!

March-ing on into March (Trying my best to catch up!)

We have had some beautiful weather lately!!!  Around this time of year is when all the grasshoppers (and weeds) come out in our yard.  Tuesdays are my days with just Cash.  And while Blaine was out working in the yard, we were out making wishes and catching grasshoppers!

Everyone likes to get in on the grasshopper hunting!

My friend Marisa and her husband joined a boat club and invited me and the boys out on the boat for their second ride of the year after Eli and Ty's soccer game one Saturday!  It was still a tad chilly, certainly way too cold to get in the water, but it was a beautiful day and we couldn't wait! Marisa was practicing her driving and we ended up all getting soaked anyway!

These boys placed themselves in the spot where freezing cold water would splash them right in the face---and they loved it!

My friend Julie Butler- one of my running friends, organized a park clean-up day at Bull Creek for our running crew and our families. We got there a few minutes early and ran around until everyone got there.

We had a great showing!  She had grabbers, gloves, trash bags, and all the essentials for a full-on clean up! We all got our gear and were off in search of trash.

When you are the little brother, sometimes you take one for the team. I have no idea how these boys come up with ideas to entertain themselves.

The First Grade play, E-I-E-I-Oops was in March too! Eli's class were lambs, and I (stupidly) volunteered to cut out and make some of the masks. I had no idea how many hours it was going to take me! But of course, totally worth it.

These two guys, stood in the back of the cafeteria on chairs having a love affair...and taking selfies.

We also started our Fall soccer season. Just so happens that both boys are Camaroons this year on different teams/age groups.  Cash also started the Developmental Training this year. It has been so much fun! Everyone has amazing teams, great attitudes and are loving soccer this season.

Eli is on a team with a bunch of boys from Kiker, but he also has his bestest buddy Ty on his team!  Owen did not end up on the team we had hoped for, but it turned out for the best and is on a really wonderful team with an amazing coach and some sweet boys.

All three of them have really made big strides this season.

I took the boys out to the Buda Skatepark a few weeks back and they had been begging to go back. Blaine did not get to go with us the first time, so one Sunday morning, we headed down there for the boys to skate. It is much more kid friendly than the one in Austin--much smaller and less crowded.

One Thursday morning while Eli was at school, Owen, Cash and I took bikes down to Town Lake to ride around and check out the ducks. They did a really good job down there. They just need to learn to stay to the right...we have a few near collisions a couple of times.

After our bike ride we headed downtown to visit Pop and run around the store for a few minutes.

We took our mom out to lunch, just for fun! We don't get a lot of alone time with her anymore with all the kids always around, so it was nice to sit down for a nice and delicious lunch with just us.

 And Cash  became obsessed with wearing his hair in a mohawk.....this kid, can not wait to see who he grows up to be, he is something else!!!